Latin America is a unique region where left-wing politicians come to power by democratic path. They consider the globalization promoted by the USA to be imperialism unacceptable for them. The entire financial, military, political and propaganda power of the United States can do nothing with such countries as Cuba or Venezuela. They have been and remain staunch and adamant opponents of the North American model of life and thinking, which is based on the US superiority over the others and the desire to control the others. Other Latin American countries treat their neighbors with a certain degree of reserve, which however occasionally fails. In general, it would be difficult to find sincere allies and satellites of North America among the countries located in the immediate vicinity.
"The fact that the US had to give up such language and make a statement that the Monroe Doctrine is not the basis for the US policy in that region proves that Washington is forced to correct its course. That notorious doctrine of 1823 stated that both Americas were for the United States. One has to admit that Latin America increases its role in the modern world. But that does not mean that the US policy is drastically different. The same John Kerry has stated that the US will promote democracy in Latin America," Alexander Kharlamenko, director of the Research Institute of Latin America, said, recalling how recently the US Secretary of State John Kerry called Latin America the "backyard" of the US and pointed out the sharply negative reaction to that among Latin Americans.
One can hardly call such statements successful or diplomatically correct. Latin American countries have had a chance to see in detail which methods were used to promote democracy in Yugoslavia, Iraq and Libya ad what results it led to. That is why the leadership of Cuba and Venezuela is prepared for the interference in internal affairs of those countries, especially given that such declarations have already been made. The "Big Stick policy" is no longer valid, but Washington fails to realize that, thus creating new and new opponents next to the US borders.
While clearly evaluating the threats coming from the United States, Latin American states create organizations that consolidate the region without the US. That is partly driven by the economic siege of Cuba, which is denounced by the entire world, but still exists as a harsh and absolutely irrational anachronism. The attempts to overthrow the governments in Venezuela, Bolivia and Ecuador also cause a sharp reaction in the region. There has been no geopolitical success here for Washington, but new enemies have appeared. Proffesor Oleg Matveychev of the Higher School of Economics points out that North America has treated its neighbors without due respect for centuries.
"It has redrawn the maps, changed presidents and dictators, manipulated the public opinion and ruthlessly exploited Latin American countries. The US corporations pumped profits without hiding their predatory ambitions. In Latin America the living standards have been very low, there have been endless revolutions. But as a result of the current globalization, including information globalization, people there got smarter and began to understand what was going on. That is the source of the popularity of leftist ideas among the elite. They don't want to depend on the US, they need independence," Matveychev said.
Apparently, it is due to the region's growing wish for independence from the selfish policy of the US that Washington takes the participation in BRICS of Brazil, one of the key countries, with such jealousy. There is simply no place for the US in that promising and forward-looking union of strong and respectable countries.
Source: The Voice of Russia
